Hi,

I need a syringe of solder paste (with nice thin needle) so I can mount SMD ICs using the method which can be seen on the net, involving laying a thin line of the paste over the IC pads, placing the IC and then heating the legs and pads with a suitable device (in my case, hot air station).

I've seen pictures of the syringes of this paste on the websites mentioned above but cannot find a supplier in the UK or even in the US where I'd be happy to order from if necessary.

Does anyone know where I can get some suitable for the tasks I have in mind?

Thanks mucho. 8)

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I don\'t claim to know everything... I just want to know everything.

 

Try RS Components, or Farnell, they will probably stock it. However, you should be aware it's fairly expensive, and has a short shelf live!.

__________________
PIC programmer software, and PIC Tutorials at:
http://www.winpicprog.co.uk

 

Thanks for the suggestions. I've tried RS, but not Farnell. Farnell have the minimum order amount which puts me off even checking their site usually.

I heard that it had a shortish shelf life, but since my repair work involves mounting tiny SMD ICs with pins so close together my iron shorts them together when soldering, I'm unsure as to what else can be done to make the task easier...

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The Pace soldering station I use at work has a spoon shaped bit, you flood the pins of the chip with liquid flux and draw the loaded bit across the pins - the flux makes the solder flow nicely, and pins don't short together!.

__________________
PIC programmer software, and PIC Tutorials at:
http://www.winpicprog.co.uk

 

Is it one you'd recommend? I think I must get a new soldering station, and I'd like one with bits available for such tasks, like the spoon-type bit. Would you mind giving me the model number please, or of one which is affordable yet as good?

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You'll find this interesting...


http://www.seattlerobotics.org/encod...6/oven_art.htm

I've been hunting at the local second-hand store for my own toaster oven... (usually see them for about $4 US, but I haven't seen any in a while )

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-Ian

 

Over here in america we have a store called radio shack that has them

Here is the website.

www.radioshack.com

you can order from uk I think

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Robotics is heaven in my book.

 

Zephyrtronics sells a paste designed specifically for hand work. It does a great job and you can call them up for support on how to work it.

http://www.zeph.com/zt5_dir.htm

 

I'm not at work today, so I can't check on the model, but it came from SEME - the complete station was about £3000 :cry:

__________________
PIC programmer software, and PIC Tutorials at:
http://www.winpicprog.co.uk

 

I like SMT solder wire, good for surface mount stuff.

 

Thanks for the URL links, I'm trying them out now. $10 for 10ml of paste isn't too bad at all, and a 6-month shelf life is quite good especially without refridgeration. Whether they'll supply to the UK though, I don't know.

£3000 for a soldering station? :shock: I was thinking perhaps £100 for a decent one. 8) That must be one hell of a soldering station...

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Try CPC at http://www.cpc.co.uk, they are part of Farnell, look for order code SASMSP10SL, it's £9.25+vat for a syringe full.

Pace ones are expensive, ours includes four different types of soldering 'irons', plus various tips etc. for removing surface mount chips, most of the tips cost £50-60 each!.

It soon adds up! - it was required to meet the requirements of being a Sony Service Dealer.

__________________
PIC programmer software, and PIC Tutorials at:
http://www.winpicprog.co.uk

 

DO NOT USE THE RADIOSHACK PASTE


It is NOT water sol. and dies not for for crap in oven baking. The flux they have it is horrible stuff, expect bridged pins, non wet joints, and a lot of smoke at temps around 320F

I tried it 4 times, each time I had to fix joints. Its syringe is not fine tipped and the stuff doesn't sqeeze out easily.

It took longer to get the solder on and the parts in place then it does just soldering them on with an iron. I will not be using it again.

That stuff is meant to solder wires togather in tight places. It shouldn't even be called solder paste, more like "horrible solder product".

If you want solder paste order it from a real supplier.

 

I can't tell if the CPC paste comes with a fine needle tip or not. Considering the hassle with getting solder paste, I'm thinking of just doing what you said you do, fluxing the pins (just received two big pots of rosin flux I ordered) and then passing a loaded solder tip across the pins.

Is it a fairly easy technique to pick up, or might I be looking at a fair bit of practising? At will it matter if I can't use a spoon-shaped bit, only a wide flat bit?

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In my experience with fine pitch SMD the soler paste really isn't that much better than a fine point soldering iron and really thin solder. It's gives you about the same number of bridges and takes longer to setup.

Solderwick is the key to nice fine pitch soldering. Just solder all the pins as best you can and then go back and use the solderwick to remove any bridges.